Vale of White Horse Railway

[Dwayne]

Amazing progress! Just wow...

[LNR]

As others have said, astonishing progress. Terrible about the testing, but someone has to do it
Grant.

[markoteal]

Brilliant progress and for how much you've done in a short time, you don't seem to have much fettling to do - well done

[ge_rik]

Blimey! You don't hang about, do you? Have you thought about putting in a bid for the SE Rail franchise? I'm sure you'd soon get that sorted out!

Great to see trains chuffing through foliage already and relatively few snags to sort out.

Rik

[JonPotter]

Once again, thanks all! You're too kind. Not much progress track wise this week, mainly a bit of fettling, but I thought you might like some more photos!

On Tuesday I fettled the track a fair bit more & steamed up 'Auric' to test. The two main derailing points have now been packed sufficiently, meaning running is a bit more enjoyable!



One of my favourite locos in the fleet is my Leek & Manifold tank. I fitted a DJB whistle to it last week but hadn't yet tested it, so rectified it on Saturday. It needs a bit more track to really stretch its legs, but it is a joy to drive!





Also on Saturday, I fixed the coupling height issue on 'Brockhurst' and steamed that up - seen here leaving Kingston Lisle. Note the shortened VOR coach in the rake, which was featured previously in this thread. I'm happy to report that it runs very well - I was a little concerned about it to be honest but no catastrophes yet!



Today I steamed up the newest member of the fleet - a Roundhouse Darjeeling. Completely out for 2'6", so I'll have to bend the history a fair bit - maybe some rich guy built a replica in 2'6".... believable enough maybe! Anyway, here it is on shed with two recently completed, also having their first run:



And here descending the grade into Kingston Lisle.



For anyone interested in some more photos, I have set up a Flickr - https://www.flickr.c.../149366894@N08/

[LNR]

I am not jealous of your Darj loco, Been trying to justify a reason to have one on my railway for years.
Grant.

[tom_tom_go]

I like the Roundhouse Darjeeling 'B' class as well. Especially as Riverdale do a coal fired version and you can get a slomo to fit too!

[Big Jim]

I would sell the wife for a coal fired B class.

[Peter Butler]

I would sell the wife for a coal fired B class.

But Jim, what about the tenth commandment? I feel a flagellation coming on.... but don't enjoy it too much!

[Big Jim]

Moses hadn't heard of the DHR.
Commandment 10 (a)
And the Lord did sayeth "excepting steam locomotives"

[Peter Butler]

Yes Jim, I agree, that could have easily changed history.

[JonPotter]

Thanks all. The Darj tank really is lovely (only slight complaint being the RH exhaust enhancer only being on one steam pipe, giving 2 proper chuffs and two quiet ones... Will replace with a chuffer); it will be off to be spruced up later in the year.

Main focus this week has been on the rest of the garden from a planting point of view - but I did run some trains today.

[Dwayne]

Good stuff.

[bazzer42]

Nice planting and looks quite a sunny position for Alpines. My shady patch struggles to keep them alive for long.

[daan]

Brilliant railway, it has grown in an impressive short time though!

[jim@NAL]

very nice looking line

[JonPotter]

Thanks very much guys.

My dad has been busy beavering away on some of the missing key bits (notably the bridge over the pond). I've also been working on a number of scenic items; I'll post some further updates in the next week or so...

[IrishPeter]

By heck, lad, tha's bin cracking on! It has taken me that long to throw a circuit of test track on the basement floor!

Cheers,
Peter in Va.

[JonPotter]

Thanks guys. I thought it was about time to post another update on the railway!

Lots of odds & sods and planting have the top end of the garden looking a bit more presentable now... Note the windmill which has now taken residence.



My dad has produced a bridge for the pond, which looks excellent (in my opinion!); he also built up the walls in the pond & rendered them while we were on holiday (handy having someone to pop round!). This is now fitted with track laid today.



The first track in Wantage station was also laid today. The back road is the bay, the two track shed will be at the front right.



A quick shot just to put some context to the location of Wantage & the pond in relation to Kingston Lisle



Currently the mortar on top of the blocks between the pond & Kingston Lisle is drying. I'm hoping to get the track laid on Sunday (need to pick up some more fishplates first). The remaining missing piece is the turntable, which will be on a lift out board at the house side of Wantage station (bottom left in the third picture), which my dad is currently working on. So, all being well, it won't be too long until it is complete - track wise at least!

[Lonsdaler]

Good stuff, I do like your bridge and supporting piers Is your Dad related to IKB?